Across a class of high school seniors, the relatively oldest students are 11.6% more likely to enroll in college than the relatively youngest students.

That's the average difference in lifetime earnings between a college graduate and a high school graduate.

Just one factor can significantly influence the likelihood that a person enrolls in a four-year college: relative age.

Researchers call this the "relative age effect." The effect starts early, but the impacts ripple out for years.

Born on the Wrong Side of the Year

$552,500

That's the average difference in lifetime earnings between a college graduate and a high school graduate.

Just one factor can significantly influence the likelihood that a person enrolls in a four-year college: relative age.

Researchers call this the "relative age effect." The effect starts early, but the impacts ripple out for years.

Across a class of high school seniors, the relatively oldest students are 11.6% more likely to enroll in college than the relatively youngest students.

Born on the Wrong Side of the Year

$552,500

In most countries, children are required to be a certain age by a specific date to start school. In the United States, the age cutoff date for school admission is usually September 1st, but it can vary by school district. If a child turns five years old before September 1st, they can start kindergarten that year. If they turn five after September 1st, they have to wait until the following year to start kindergarten.

For example, if your birthday is August 5th and the cutoff date for your school was September 1st, then you could have been 11 to 12 months younger than a student born in September. If you were born in the six months leading up to the cutoff date, you can consider yourself relatively younger. If you were born in the six months immediately following the cutoff date, you can consider yourself relatively older.

Relative Age

Were you relatively younger or older than your classmates when you entered school?

Younger
Older

The closer a student’s birthday is to their school’s cutoff date, the more dramatic the relative age effect is.

A student with an August birthday would be 17% younger than a classmate born in September.

States and school

districts do not have to adhere to a September 1st cutoff, but most still fall between August and October.

A student with an August birthday would be 17% younger than a classmate born in September.

The closer a student’s birthday is to their school’s cutoff date, the more dramatic the relative age effect is.

Were you placed in any advanced classes or programs?

Did you take any college admissions exams, such as the SAT?

Did you enroll in an accredited four-year college/university?

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